STUART — No one is more surprised at the success Dan Fillhaber has found as Martin County High School's tailback than the sophomore himself.

Fillhaber was a wing, or jet, for the junior varsity last year and expected to be, at best, third on the list of varsity runners this year.

Instead, the 5-9, 185-pounder leads the team with 916 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns.

"I'm surprised just because I'm a sophomore and I've gotten the ball so many times," Fillhaber said.

Fillhaber's emergence, which he credits to the extra reps he received because of the absence of Jermohn Queen early in the season, has given Martin County more options with its playmakers. Herschel Hester was last year's starter at tailback and is still in the mix on offense, but has started at defensive end.

"I didn't know if Fillhaber was ready," coach Chuck Kenyon said. "I knew the potential was there, but wasn't sure if he was physically or mentally there. We gave him the opportunity and when we did, he took it.

"That has allowed us to put two athletes on the field, instead of one. Herschel is part of the 'Bulls and Bears' package and does kick returns and kickoffs. So he's on the field a lot. Fillhaber has freed us up to do that. And he's a sophomore, so the future is looking bright."

Fillhaber has topped 100 yards rushing in five games. His best night was when he rushed for 137 yards on 12 carries against Viera. He touched the ball the most against Eau Gallie, when he ran it 28 times. He scored a season-high three touchdowns in games against Port St. Lucie and Fort Pierce Westwood.

'He's evolved," Kenyon said. "I think it's just the repetitions and getting game time. There is no substitution for game experience. Some kids rise to the occasion and others don't. He definitely does … His work ethic is there and he runs hard."

One of the biggest adjustments Fillhaber has had to make this year is taking direct snaps, particularly in the 'Bulls and Bears' set Martin County uses.

"At the very beginning, it was very different," he said. "I had to focus on the ball, but I was more focused on where everyone was positioned. It's gotten a lot easier."

Martin County's offense has changed this year, moving away from the jet sweep and misdirection, to more straight-ahead running. Fillhaber is part of that. So is the full backfield 'Bulls and Bears' set. But the Tigers have retained their multiple formation look – and their reliance on multiple skill players. Six players have thrown passes, 11 have run the ball and 12 have caught passes.

Fillhaber has done all three.

"It's better for kids," Kenyon said. "At this age, I think it's better if a kid doesn't have to go into this thinking he's got to produce. I want him to know if he does his job, the others around him will be successful. So we don't have to rely on one or two players, but a group of seven to 10.

"So there's no pressure on Fillhaber, and also, he doesn't get too big for his britches. Sometimes, we have to take the ball from him because he misses a block or something. But we will reward him with the ball when he helps us. It goes into the development of a young player being on the field. His blocking is 10 times better than what it was at the beginning of the season."